The authentic African experience in the heart of the stunning Zululand! Come experience nature as it was intended with our professionally guided safari and diving adventure in the most biodiverse area in South Africa, and the heart of rhino conservation.

SEE THE ITINERARY

EcoAdventure

27 Days From $9,499 pps

From the Roof of Africa, through the highlands of the Drakensberg, and along the beautiful Southern African coastline, experience the majestic beauty of Mother Nature at its core.

On the southern end of the great East African Rift Valley lies a special place: a place where you lift your head out the water after a warm dive in the tropical freshwater amid the islands of huge granite boulders to hear African Fish Eagles call from the tops of the Baobab avenues on the beaches. The people are kind, the food is welcoming and the nature uplifting, this is Malawi: The Warm Heart of Africa!

Visit Africa's most renowned wilderness areas, search for the endangered Mountain Gorillas, visit the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, and explore the rich cultures across the equator. (8 Day Rwanda Only Trip Also Available).

Exclusive once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the only remaining major nesting site of Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles in Africa with great chances to see these magnificent creatures lay their eggs or the young hatchlings come to life on the sandy, protected beaches of northern KwaZulu Natal.

Bush & Beach

The authentic African experience in the heart of the stunning Zululand!

Come experience nature as it was intended with our professionally guided safari and diving adventure in the most biodiverse area in South Africa and the heart of rhino conservation. Dive the beautiful Elephant Coast and walk in Big 5 territory. Connect with nature. Our professional guides will accompany you on every step of the way to interpret and explain what you see around you in terms of all fauna and flora, including animal behaviour, culture, history, birding and biomes to ensure that you have an enriching experience and return feeling relaxed.

What you’ll need

Hiking backpack (30 – 45 litre with a 2-litre water bladder is recommended, the lighter and more compact, the better while not compromising practicality. Extra water, medical kits and any shared supplies will be carried by guides, you only carry your personal belongings)

Good walking shoes

Bush neutral clothing for bush walks (shades of brown, light brown, olive, khaki or camo preferably). Please also note that it is advised to wear pants, not shorts.

Good hat & sunscreen

Poncho for possible rainy days and a good thermal jumper/top (nights can get cold, even in summer)

Cash for bar bills and days where lunch is not providedOptional:

Diving gear (you are welcome to bring all your own gear, alternatively gear rental is provided at no extra cost – read more about our quality gear here)

Binoculars & cameras

Torch/headlamp (recommended)

Insect repellent (wonderful eco-friendly options such as Citronella or Eucalyptus are available and recommended)

Book Now or Enquire

How many persons?*Your Full Name*Your Email*Phone Number*Where are you from?*When would you like to go on the trip?*Additional Info

Close

DAY 1

Aliwal Shoal

After pick-up from King Shaka International Airport, we make our way down to the warm coastal waters of KwaZulu Natal to check in at Blue Ocean Dive Resort, our diving base on Aliwal Shoal.

Internationally known for the spectacular Sardine Run that runs through these waters every year as these species migrate from the colder spawning grounds to the warmer breeding waters, it is also the best place in South Africa to see an array of sharks, including Tiger sharks, Zambezi (Bull) sharks, White Tipped Reef sharks and the most common Ragged Tooth sharks, to name a few.

It is also recognized as one of PADIs Top 10 dive sites!

On the day of our arrival we will spend some time on gear setup and dive planning while we also look at the reef system where we will dive as well as what marine life we can expect to see (dependant on season).

DAYS 2 & 3

Exclusive Diving & Game Drive

Exclusive diving on Aliwal Shoal including shark- and reef dives with great chances to see a variety of shark species as well as an array of tropical reef fish

OPTIONAL: Add a day trip to Protea Banks for exclusive, more advanced diving

To take some time off the diving (and for those who prefer longer surface intervals…) we will head out to a nearby Nature Reserve and Game Park for a full-day or half-day game drive and indigenous forest hike with great chances of seeing endemic bird life as well as the largest antelope species in Africa – the Eland.

For the more adventurous there is also a zipline adventure and big swing!

DAYS 4 - 6

Into the Wild

It is time to dry off properly for a few days and that means it is the perfect time to head to the African bush! Today we embark on a new journey as we travel up the coast for a bit, but ultimately leaving behind the beautiful blue waters of the Indian Ocean as we set sail for Big 5 territory.

*Please note that the wilderness trails at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park are only available from late February till December (because of extremely high summer temperatures and rainfall during January and the majority of February) and accommodate a maximum of 8 people.

If you wish to book during this time, or upon request, we can recommend alternatives to suit your needs for an equally enjoyable stay and experience on a selection of beautiful private game reserves in the area.

Scenic drive to the rolling hills of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park with a quick stop at the mighty Tugela mouth

Check-in and game drive to our bush camp and trails base.

Fully catered 2-night wilderness trail on Big 5 territory and arguably the heart of rhino conservation – the real safari experience! Good chances to see the Big 5 and especially rhino.

Relaxing afternoon outing to St Lucia estuary and town for lunch and to see the largest breeding population of hippos in the world!

DAY 7

Sodwana Bay

Scenic drive up along the coast through tropical savanna and fever tree forests to Sodwana Bay.

DAYS 8 - 9

Tropical Reef Diving

Tropical reef dives in a pristine marine protected area with good chances to see an array of macro life (including whales, whale sharks, manta rays etc – depending on season).